Tighearnmas, the next king of note, reigned forty, some authors say fifty, years and won twenty-seven battles over the descendants of Eibhear. Nine lakes burst over land in his time. He was the first who found a gold mine in Ireland. At Fotharta, east of Lithfe, he had the gold smelted. Uchadan was the artificer who refined for him. In his time it was that clothes were first dyed purple, blue and green in Ireland, and embroidery, fringes and filigree put on ... Read More

Above: Saint Patrick It is commonly supposed that the druidic religion prevailed in pagan Ireland; but we know very little of the nature and ceremonials of this Irish druidism. In the oldest Irish traditions the druids figure con- spicuously. All the early colonists had their druids, who are mentioned as holding high rank among kings and chiefs. They are often called men of science to indicate their superior knowledge. Many worshipped idols of some kind: some worshipped water; some, fire; some, the sun. They ... Read More